Another Full Week...

Liam and I have been in Stirling only two weeks, but somehow it seems like much longer... and yet, the days have also flown by. Time has a curious way of expanding and telescoping all at once... I suppose that paradox adds texture to life. In any case, we're making ourselves very much at home here. Though I still feel I'm in the phase of adjusting, this week has been nearly as full as any back home!

Our dinner guests: Chris, German, Paola, and Carolina

On Tuesday, Liam and I took our first bus ride to Stirling University campus to meet up with the Catholic Society. It had only been one week since we first arrived, and already it felt like we were being greeted by old friends. The trip to Skye had, as I suspected it might, solidified our relationships... plus introducing Liam makes his parents popular anywhere! Wednesday I went out for tea with three of the girls from the society - four of us from four different countries with four different accents, none of us in our hometown, but all having made ourselves quite at home in Stirling... these are some of the joys of travelling! Thursday we hosted a dinner party for some people from Brendan's program. We love to host back home, and it's nice to be able to do it here too. 


Friday was a fun day for Liam and me: our first Baby Sensory class! Baby Sensory is a program designed to stimulate babies' senses through play, music, and interaction with other babies. I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of participation, but was pleasantly surprised to find a group of about 15 moms with their babies. A few of the babies looked close to Liam's age, but most were a bit older. I'm sure Liam will have a ball playing with them when he becomes mobile! One of the moms I met told me about a baby massage class offered at the sports centre not too far from where we live, so I'm eager to try that out too. It was really nice to get out and meet some other moms and babies. I'm looking forward to getting to know some of them a little better. 



Friday afternoon we went to visit Stirling Castle with German and Paola (his fiancée). Since we live in Stirling, we get free entry into the castle, so we can go as often as we like! This first visit was on a cold and rainy day (rather a common occurrence here!) - it will be nice to go again when the weather is a little more clement. The tour was good, although we didn't get to see the royal chambers because they are currently being restored. Luckily they will be reopened in April, so we'll get to see them before we go home. Stirling Castle has quite a rich history - B bought the official guide book, which he plans to do at every castle we visit. There is so much to learn here – it’s a little overwhelming, especially if you love history, as we both do! Brendan’s Christmas break reading list is already about three miles long. I’ve suggested he narrow it down a bit, but his spirit is indomitable: he just keeps adding titles! Fortunately the souvenir guides are short – I’ve finished the Stirling Castle one while nursing (a great time to get in some reading!). So even if we can’t find time for all the books we’d like to read, at least we’ll come home with a modest knowledge of Scotland’s people and places. It would be a shame to leave this land without having absorbed some of its story…

The Great Hall

The Inner Close

Castle wall overlooking the city

Sweet dreams after an afternoon of sightseeing!